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Aqua Shard (bar)

Bars·
Bronze Award
·

SquareMeal Review of Aqua Shard (bar)

Bronze Award

At the risk of upsetting the neighbours, if you only do one bar at The Shard, make it Aqua. For panoramic views, this high-level atrium lounge – three storeys high – beats the bar at Oblix. It’s slicker and sexier than Gong and is a hotter date than Hutong, above. The interior is decked out like a Manhattan-style loft; if you can discern the menu in the gloaming, try one of the gin- or tea-inspired cocktails. Start pleasantly with Devonshire Cream Cup (gin, Aperol, crème de fraise, lemon curd, tarragon balsamic vinegar and lemon juice, topped with Earl Grey ‘air’) before descending into wickedness with the Four Stages of Cruelty (Tanqueray 10 gin, Sauvignon Blanc, elderflower and Curious Brew beer). The bar is open throughout the day, so you can choose how to take your vista: with bright sunshine or with a myriad of twinkling night-time lights.

Good to know

Cuisines
Bars
Ambience
Fun, Glamorous, Lively, Unique
Alfresco And Views
Great views
Perfect for
Romantic, Special occasions

About

Boasting possibly the best view in the whole of London, Aqua Shard is a bar like no other. Run by the hugely successful Aqua Restaurant Group, this lofty venue offers its patrons spectacular panoramic views of the capital and carefully crafted cocktails to sip. Located on the 31st floor of the Shard, this is the perfect spot to spend a romantic evening or special celebration. And, sitting on top of London Bridge station, Aqua Shard is easily accessible from everywhere in London and beyond.

Cocktails at Aqua Shard are playfully organised by the four elements of life: Aqua, fire, earth and air. The Aqua category features glamorous mixes like the Viola, made with Tanqueray No. 10 gin, kaffir lime, foraged lavender, violet and grapefruit wine, providing a floral, balanced profile. For a punchier option, there is the Overseas, which combines Johnnie Walker Black Label and Copper Dog whisky with KLEOS Mastiha, coconut, Scottish seaweed, smokey ginger ale and burnt lemon.

Moving to the fire section, The Clipper features asparagus Don Julio blanco tequila with dry sherry, beech smoked pineapple, roasted hazelnut, Earl Grey, grapefruit and sesame. In the Earth selection, the Multi Culti Margarita offers a slightly woody flavour, featuring Don Julio blanco, green apple, sour ginger, vetiver gris and tajin. The air cocktails, on the other hand, are lighter and more bubbly, such as the Flora, made with Ciroc Red Berry vodka, Whitley Neil rhubarb and ginger gin, elderflower, raspberry and bubbles.

Guests can soak up their elemental cocktails with a selection of elegant bar snacks, such as crab brioche buns with oscietra caviar, spinach and potato fritters with garlic mayo or a charcuterie board from Cobble Lane Cured. There is also an extensive range of spirits from all over the world for those who want a simpler sip, and a similarly global wine list.

This venue also offers

Location

Level 31, The Shard, St. Thomas Street, Southwark, London, SE1 9RY

020 3011 1256 020 3011 1256

Website

Opening Times

All day
Mon 12:00-00:00
Tue 12:00-00:00
Wed 12:00-00:00
Thu 12:00-00:00
Fri 12:00-00:00
Sat 12:00-00:00
Sun 12:00-00:00

Reviews

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8 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Martina T

12 March 2023   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
simply the best

It's all about the view. the acqua is a stunning venue with astonishing views. unforgettable. exquisite experience

Maambo M

28 November 2022   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Precious P

28 July 2022   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Michelle W

09 December 2014  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Wowzarooney!!
Impressive!! Felt like a princess all night! I love to party and this place had all the right features for my 30th birthday- great drinks, great music, great staff! You can't reserve an area in the bar but there was only 4 of us so we were fine!

Michelle W

09 December 2014  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Cocktail Heaven!!
Flavour Painters!! AWESOME!! These liquid chefs know how to rock your pallette!! Amazing garnishes and glassware- they looked after us and made us feel SO special!

Richard B

09 December 2014  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Mixologists!
Fantastic mixologists! Love watching these guys make drinks! It's like a new modern style of flare bartending!

Louise C

09 December 2014  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
WOW! What cocktails!!
Never seen cocktails like this before in my life!! Like art!! I had a coconut cocktails that was smoking on top of a martini glass!! Tasted amazing!!

Colin M

17 July 2013  
Food & Drink 5
Service 2
Atmosphere 3.5
Value 3
My Birthday near disaster at the AquaShard,a long review but worth reading
After a visit to the View at the Shard,I had booked a table at the AquaShard restaurant to celebrate my birthday with my partner.First of all we had cocktails at the bar after confirming our booking. We were served by a nice cocktail waitress who advised us on our cocktail selection,once we had decided on our cocktails we had a long wait for them.Which meant taking them to our table as our booking time for the table was due. We had the table I had asked for when booking,by the window on the East side of the restaurant overlooking the Thames.Tower Bridge and the Tower of London below us,a fabulous view but then the wait started.it was a good 15 mins before anyone came to see us and give us the menu or ask us if we wanted a drink. Then it was another good 15 mins before we were asked if we were ready to order,at this time I asked for the wine list.Eventually this was brought to us but it only had red wines in it which I pointed out.The complete wine list was then brought to us. The meals were chosen and ordered but now take in to account that we had sat down at 8.30pm,it was 9.30 before the food was brought to us. I have nothing but praise for the food which was excellent Starters:Cured Wild Seabass. Grilled Octopus & Scottish Mackerel Main:Dover sole on the bone. Duke of Berkshire pork belly Cucumber & herb salad Desert:British cheese board Wine:Russiz Reserva Americano coffees 2 Hennessy XO brandies Now this is we're it gets interesting ,the coffees & cheese board came up but no brandies After a while we enquired about the lack of brandies ,which they apologised about They returned with two plain brandies,which we pointed out we ordered XO's The waiter again apologised and said he would change them and not charge for them On his return I ask if he could do our bill for us as time was getting later for us to catch our last train home The bill came eventually but by now with the low lighting it was difficult to read it but good job we did We had been charge twice for every meal we had ordered,the bill was £419 WOW ! On pointing out this mistake it was taken back and return but it still had the brandies on it(£29.80 each) Once again this was pointed out and again taken away with the promise that the service charge would be omitted By now we were getting desperate to catch our train, the manager return with the bill but the brandies were still on it with a small service charge Well eventually it was sorted out with the final bill coming to £187.50 but with 3 Americano's on the bill not noticed till on the way home A couple along side of us had already complained of the slow service and another couple of added items on their bill A bit of a long review but the meal was excellent Remember to take a torch with you to be able to see your meal and read the bill
Bookings not required

Reservations are not required at Aqua Shard (bar).

If you'd like to speak to someone to discuss dining or any other query, call:

020 3011 1256 020 3011 1256

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